Who knew something as simple as a water bottle could change someone’s day? Well, when it’s boiling outside, an ice-cold drink makes all the difference. This is a random act of kindness challenge we can all get behind.
South Africa (14 October 2024) – Before you throw that plastic bottle into the trash, why not wash it, refill it with water, pop it in the freezer and then, on hot days, keep it in a cooler bag in your car? Then, when you see someone begging on the roadside, you can give them a refreshing bit of hope through the hot and sunny South African summer.
Over the weekend, the north of Johannesburg experienced temperatures around 38 degrees. In the shade, this number is far more bearable, but standing in the middle of the road, surrounded by sweltering hot tar, that number is likely even higher. With this being the early days of spring, one can only imagine how hot summer will be in full swing.
I had places to be over the weekend, so I set off, immediately gobsmacked that the car was reading 37 degrees outside. At the first stop, I saw a man in a wheelchair with little more than a hat to protect him from the blazing sun. A short while later, an elderly man who looked incredibly frail was sitting on the curb at the lights, getting some rest in the heat of the day.
All I could do as I drove by was berate myself for not having water in the car to lend a helping hand. And so, I set a challenge for myself to go home and make some iced water bottles so next time, I can help. Inspired by Mumtaz Moosa Saley, who shared this idea in 2020, the hope is to inspire others to join in.
“This idea came to me one year as I was running on a hot summer’s day, Murphy’s Law I ran out of water to drink during a heatwave. A gardener had seen me and asked me if I would like to fill my empty bottle. With this, the idea came that each one of us has the ability to ease someone else burdens without breaking the bank.
My challenge to you, simply take one bottle a day and hand the iced water to a car guard, beggars, or even for commuters who are on their way to or from work, leave the bottle of water outside your front gate and trust me someone somewhere who is in need will be helped without much effort.” – Mumtaz Moosa Saley
And now, we challenge you too!
People are on the roadsides because they are struggling; they need help. So even if you don’t have money or food to share, ice-cold water costs nothing (unless you buy a brand new one from the shops).
Staying hydrated is important to every human. In fact, it’s essential for all life on Earth. So whether you help a mom and her child, a person with a disability, a roadside trader selling his wares or your car guard, a bottle of cold water can go a long way in making the heat of the day more bearable.
So please keep your plastic bottles and use them as a way to give back. It’s simple but deeply thoughtful.
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